Philanthropists honoured for service to the community
GUELPH - Shirley Mitchell says she was raised properly.
"My parents always taught me to practise the golden rule each and every day," said the development director for the Cambridge YMCA.
"It's the payback," she quipped, "for the space you occupy."
The fundraising professional was among 11 individuals and companies from Guelph, Kitchener-Waterloo and Cambridge honoured Wednesday for helping others.
They were chosen from a slate of 39 nominees at the eighth annual Community Philanthropy Awards. The awards ceremony by the Waterloo Wellington Fund Raising Executives was held at Guelph's River Run Centre.
Guelph Tool Inc. founder Bob Ireland won the outstanding volunteer fundraising award for chairing a joint campaign at Guelph General Hospital and St. Joseph's Health Centre.
The $11-million goal was surpassed by $1.5 million. Ireland and his family also gave $500,000 to the campaign.
Ireland said each hospital contributor, large or small, deserved the glass award he received. He was happy "to play a small part to see this to fruition."
Husband and wife Ken and Marilyn Murray of Puslinch Township south of Guelph were honoured as outstanding philanthropists.
They have served as volunteers, financial contributors and board members for a variety of arts and education organizations, including the University of Waterloo and its Guelph counterpart.
Ken Murray said he and his wife want to help ensure area communities "are just a little bit better than we found them."
Major event sponsors were the Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation, The Record newspaper and Denison, the printing firm.
"It's about celebrating people who would prefer to remain in the background," said master of ceremonies Lynn Haddrall, editor-in-chief for Grand River Valley Newspapers -- The Record, Guelph Mercury and Cambridge Reporter
They are, she stressed, "an amazing group of people."
Because of them, "our communities are healthier, happier and better places to be," added Kitchener and Waterloo Community Foundation executive director Rosemary Smith.
Waterloo Wellington Fund Raising Executives president Sue Taylor announced a new category this year. Outstanding media awards went to Kool-FM of Guelph and CHYM-FM of Kitchener for raising public awareness of community fundraising.
Waterloo-based consulting firm Conestoga-Rovers and Associates was named the outstanding corporate philanthropist with more than 100 employees for workplace United Way campaigns averaging in excess of $40,000 a year.
They also made a $1-million corporate gift to the Kitchener Waterloo Health Centre.
Kitchener's Heffner Lexus Toyota car dealership was chosen outstanding corporate philanthropist in the 20-to-100 employee category for financial support to arts organizations and agencies helping families in crisis.
Partner Willy Heffner said he and his brother, John Jr., were inspired by their father. Such an effort, the younger Heffner said, "is very much a part of our business life."
The outstanding corporate philanthropist with one to 19 employees was McDonald-Green Personnel of cambridge.
The Rotary Club of Kitchener-Conestoga was chosen the outstanding community service organization.
"This small but mighty club of some 80 members for more than 30 years has made international and local projects their philanthropic priority," said Haddrall. "They have become one of the most generous clubs in this region."
Paul Cescon of Waterloo was given the outstanding young volunteer fundraiser award, for those under 19. He served as charity leader at Waterloo Collegiate.
He has spent thousands of hours working with local, national and international charities, despite fighting cancer. He's also raised $88,000 toward a goal of $100,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.
Cambridge's Mitchell, the outstanding professional fundraiser, has overseen community efforts to raise millions of dollars for that city's YMCA, now undergoing expansion.
The former banker said she fell into her current career, "but it's a job I love."